SHIPSHEWANA – The Blue Gate Theatre announced the construction of a new 1500+ seat, $3 million dollar theater space at the Blue Gate Performing Arts Center.

The new theatre is set to break ground before May and will be completed by January 2020. The rapid expansion of the Blue Gate’s Concert Schedule, limitations of the current space and improving customer experience all played key roles in the decision to build.

The new theatre will reduce the distance from the stage to the most distant seat by a third creating a much more intimate space, increase the number of patrons that can attend each concert and all while greatly improving the view from each seat.

The new space will also feature an increased staging area, allowing for the larger production shows many national touring acts often use.

The project was helped along with an economic development grant from the Town of Shipshewana and LaGrange EDC totaling $377,000 over 10 years.